A Mother's first 911 call

Friday afternoon wasn't our typical Friday. It started off like most of our school day Fridays, with an afternoon set aside to visit with friends. Hallie and her two beautiful girls came over, (her oldest was coming for a sleep over).

Hallie and I got to sit and chat over coffee, we have only been friends for a few months, thanks to a re-introduction through our mutual friend, Cindy. (Hallie and I actually had met, 4 or 5 years ago, through a home school group we both attended.)

Hallie was able to pop-over last minute and we were getting to know each other a little better, right before King Bonkey (4) came in from outside to tell me that King Meemer (5) had successfully gotten his new bike started by himself. I told him that was great, but to make sure his brother was wearing his helmet. King Meemer only learned to ride his bike in September-it was a big accomplishment the first week of school here. However, he had yet to master the start-up process without someone to hold his bike for him.

The next sound we heard from the serenity of the living room was King Meemer's screams, which were intensifying with each passing moment. I ran out, followed by Hallie, to find my 5 year old lying in a tangled mess with his new shiny yellow bike. We tried to calm him down (Hallie and I), Hallie crawled right into the rhododendron to comfort my son and to remove the helmet from his head (yes, thank God he was wearing it!). I was trying to gently move his ankle, which had seemingly become part of the metal work of the bike, establishing itself firmly between the body of the bike and the pedal joint. (the arm that juts out from the frame to hold the pedals on, which is narrow indeed-who knew a human ankle could get in a 1 1/2 inch space!)

After a few moments, Hallie very quietly 'in code,' told me that I needed to stop 'trying' and go for the phone to call the emergency number (911) to bring us help. Hallie also told me to get water for him and I thought to grab an ice-pack for his throbbing leg while I fumbled in the house trying to remain calm.

King Meemer was in between calm and screaming, if ever the two could meet.

I called 911, explaining the situation and asking for immediate help. I then told my 2nd oldest to call her Papa (who might pull in to the madness at any moment). My oldest and Hallie comforted King Meemer, I tried to keep his mind off of his predicament by teasing him about his "mad driving skills." Hallie rubbed his head, Pirate Jacky (16) held the front of the bike, I continued to talk us to the point when help arrived.

AND thankfully it did. A volunteer fireman/emergency medical technician came first, he tried to work my lad's sock and pants out of the way, then the ambulance came, they sent me in for dish soap...when I reemerged from the house, the two were no longer one and my Knight was on the scene as well.

They checked him over, recommending a trip in the ambulance to make sure there was nothing broken (it was discolored and out of shape for sure.)

King Meemer, a full ambulance crew and my Knight whisked into the evening in their boxy chariot, leaving the rest of us to gain a bit of composure (I think we did great, much thanks to Hallie and her E.M.T. training!)

Hallie and I prayed for his time in the ambulance and at the hospital, for his care and protection by God and through the hands that would help him there.

Shortly after I drove off to join them at the hospital- as I parked they were coming out. The doctor had looked him over and thought X rays were unnecessary. They wrapped his ankle and gave Papa instructions on how to manage at home. King Meemer was beaming as he carefully launched himself into the family tank, Katrinka. He was holding a cute gray bear and stickers the ambulance crew had given him. I was praising God that nothing was broken , except for my 911 record.

I am thankful that Hallie shared this with me, God knew I'd need her this afternoon and it will surely bond us closer together. (Though I am not so sure we will ever top the "excitement" level at a first time sleepover again, at least I hope not ;-)!

And yes, I didn't get any pictures, though Hallie had said at one point, "Maybe we should take a picture." Guess I couldn't get my mind around it, as only post-hospital pictures were what took place. Some blogger I am, guess I need to work on my "mad blogging skills.

BTW everyone thought King Meemer was the cutest boy ever...nice manners and so handsome. To which I'd have to say, "Yup."